Preview — Iron Hearted Violet
by Kelly Barnhill

Iron Hearted Violet

In most fairy tales, princesses are beautiful, dragons are terrifying, and stories are harmless. This isn’t most fairy tales.

Princess Violet is plain, reckless, and quite possibly too clever for her own good. Particularly when it comes to telling stories. One day she and her best friend, Demetrius, stumble upon a hidden rThe end of their world begins with a story.This one.

In most fairy tales, princesses are beautiful, dragons are terrifying, and stories are harmless. This isn’t most fairy tales.

Princess Violet is plain, reckless, and quite possibly too clever for her own good. Particularly when it comes to telling stories. One day she and her best friend, Demetrius, stumble upon a hidden room and find a peculiar book. A forbidden book. It tells a story of an evil being—called the Nybbas—imprisoned in their world. The story cannot be true—not really. But then the whispers start. Violet and Demetrius, along with an ancient, scarred dragon, may hold the key to the Nybbas’s triumph . . . or its demise. It all depends on how they tell the story. After all, stories make their own rules.

Iron Hearted Violet is a story of a princess unlike any other. It is a story of the last dragon in existence, deathly afraid of its own reflection. Above all, it is a story about the power of stories, our belief in them, and how one enchanted tale changed the course of an entire kingdom....more

Hardcover, 424 pages

Published
October 9th 2012
by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
(first published January 1st 2012)

Last weekend I had to drive across the state to a bachelorette party, and so I grabbed an audiobook copy of Iron Hearted Violet to keep me company in the car.

And, okay.

There were good things and bad things about this book.

I personally really disliked the narrator and his constant “Oh woe is me beloved though I truly am a masterful storyteller I can hardly stand to think about my actions” refrain, and wasn’t particularly moved by the ending, where (view spoiler)[Violet (hide spoiler)], illuminateLast weekend I had to drive across the state to a bachelorette party, and so I grabbed an audiobook copy of Iron Hearted Violet to keep me company in the car.

And, okay.

There were good things and bad things about this book.

I personally really disliked the narrator and his constant “Oh woe is me beloved though I truly am a masterful storyteller I can hardly stand to think about my actions” refrain, and wasn’t particularly moved by the ending, where (view spoiler)[Violet (hide spoiler)], illuminated by the setting sun, marched the Andulan people Moses-like into a brave new world.

And I was increasingly driven crazy by the author’s insistence on ending basically every chapter in a goddamn fade-to-black scene, forcing me to shriek “DUN DUN DUUUUN” and make dramatic chipmunk faces as I sped down the highway.

And the world around her thundered and flashed and went suddenly dark.

"THREE!" Moth shouted, and with the three small creatures clinging to his clothing, Demetrius launched into the darkness and fell into the pit.

"Help me, Cassian," mouthed her lips. And Violet vanished from sight.

And the sky broke open like a melon, and everything went dark.

And they marched toward the glint of innumerable stars. And they vanished from sight.

And in those last seconds before losing consciousness, Violet thought for sure she saw the earth leap away, and the path, the wall, the wood, even that great, shining dragon, all spun farther and farther into the air until, at last, the darkness swirled around them and she was gone.

Chapter after chapter, you guys.

BUT!

I love love loved the way Kelly Barnhill wrote women into her book.

Women were members of the wise-old-people council! Women were soldiers in the army! Women were clerks and maids and rulers and Captains of the Guard!

And it wasn’t even pointed out to the reader. There wasn’t any commentary suggesting that this was out of the ordinary, or that the women were SUPER AMAZING to have gotten to where they were despite the obvious gender disadvantage of being female, like “Marda, Mistress of the Hawks, had fought hard to work her way up the ranks in a male-dominated organization” or whatever.

No, it’s just “Marda, Mistress of the Hawks, was a goddamn badass and cool under fire and her birds would probably eat your eyes if you pissed her off.”

WHICH IS HOW IT SHOULD BE.

So I wasn’t loving this book, but I wasn’t hating it.

Until I made the terrible mistake, when I got back from the party, of picking up a copy of the actual physical book, because I wanted to see how the hell they were spelling “Nybbas.”

And I discovered that Iron Hearted Violet was illustrated.

Here’s the thing, friends.

In this story, Violet is not pretty.

This isn’t a sort of “Oh, I’m fifteen and insecure and I hate the way my ears stick out” thing.

It’s a fact.

It’s repeated throughout the book.

It’s made 100% totally clear to us that while Violet has many wonderful attributes befitting a princess—intelligence, wit, bravery, a voracious appetite for books—she is not beautiful. She’s the opposite of beautiful.

Sorry, them’s the breaks.

So I’m wondering where exactly the disconnect was between the text, and the illustrations.

Was the illustrator not provided with the text he was supposed to be illustrating?

Because seriously.

Princess Violet… was not a pretty child. When she was five days old, her round face broke out in a rash that lasted for weeks. When she was twelve years old, the last of her feathery black hair drifted away, leaving her skull quite bald, with a lopsided sheen. Her hair grew back much later as a coarse, crinkly, auburn mass, resistant to braids and ribbons and almost impossible to comb. When she was one year old, it became clear that her left eye was visibly larger than her right. Not only that, it was a different color, too. Her nose pugged, her forehead was too tall, and even when she was just a baby, her skin was freckled and blotched, and no number of milk baths or lemon rubs could unmark her.

People remarked about her lack of beauty, but it couldn’t be helped.

Seriously?

”Not a pretty child,” they thought. “And, alas, growing uglier by the day.”

SERIOUSLY!?!?

Her mismatched eyes were red-rimmed and bloodshot. Her unruly hair had achieved new levels of unruliness. Her normally blotchy skin was now raw and chapped and livid. She was well and truly and TERRIBLY ugly. She couldn’t close her eyes. She couldn’t look away.

This drives me insane, you guys.

I could overlook the cover, because even though she’s adorable, and even though she’s riding the dragon in an amazing scene that Never Actually Happened, it’s the cover. Everyone knows covers lie.

But why the hell would you add images that actively go against the character descriptions? It’s rare enough to have a heroine who is not the fairest in the land (or at least, not the fairest if you don’t count the one tiny flaw that she obsesses over, like the Scattering Of Freckles On Her Nose or whatever), let alone one who is objectively unattractive. Why not embrace that?

Also, if you keep insisting that Violet isn’t good-looking, but draw her as an adorable anime character, what is that going to say to the average thirteen-year-old girl?

“Violet is not pretty at all!? But look at her! She’s prettier than me! That must mean I’m really REALLY ugly!”

Plus! All the things that she wants, to make herself a “real princess”? Small feet? Slender limbs? Thick tresses of hair? Flawless skin? SHE ALREADY HAS ALL THAT LOOK AT THE PICTURES.

So many feelings about this.

So many.

I guess overall the book is saved from complete ruin because of the Complete Integration Of Ladies Into The World’s Social Political and Military Sphere, but… but just barely.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>...more

Monica!Samantha wrote: "ha I really liked this book, but your review makes so much sense :D"

I'm glad you liked it! I'm a firm believer that all books shouldSamantha wrote: "ha I really liked this book, but your review makes so much sense :D"

I'm glad you liked it! I'm a firm believer that all books should have fans, no matter how insane with fury I might get about particular ones. :D

...

Okay, actually no, I take that back. No one should love Fifty Shades.

Barbara wrote: "This is what happens when you hire an illustrator who works in an 'manga' style. Think about it; the majority of the time women have blemish-free faces, lacking all detail. They have two large eyes and a small mouth with an basically non-existent nose (I know not all mangas are like this.) I have nothing against 'manga' style, but I think that style is best kept to manga.This is why when I was in school, my professors emphasized a more personalized style. One that will get you recognized in a crowd."

Oh, fact, I love me some manga-style illustrations too, but you're totally right... it doesn't lend itself well to anything other than Perky and Adorable. And also Thin. And Wide-Eyed....more
Sep 07, 2014 08:57PM

The end of their world begins with a story – and with a birth. Princess Violet was born to supportive parents and a loving kingdom. She is smart, loves telling stories and enjoys adventures with her one friend Demetrius.

But, as it just so happens, Violet is not a True Fairytale Princess (TFP) because as we all know, TFP are impossibly beautiful and Violet is no such thing. With her mismatched eyes, lopsided face, blotchy skin and unruly hair, she is far from perfection. Still, nobodyAna’s Take:

The end of their world begins with a story – and with a birth. Princess Violet was born to supportive parents and a loving kingdom. She is smart, loves telling stories and enjoys adventures with her one friend Demetrius.

But, as it just so happens, Violet is not a True Fairytale Princess (TFP) because as we all know, TFP are impossibly beautiful and Violet is no such thing. With her mismatched eyes, lopsided face, blotchy skin and unruly hair, she is far from perfection. Still, nobody cares about Violet’s looks because everybody loves her so much.

Until that is, darkness starts to spread around Violet’s world. It all begins with a hidden book and an untold story. A forgotten God, imprisoned by Mirrors, whose diminishing power is reborn. All of a sudden, whispers start and they say ugly things about Violet. That maybe it is her fault that things are going so bad. That maybe she is not a True Princess at all. And she believes it. And makes a wish that might end their world forever.

This is a story about what being a True Princess really means. But also about the power of storytelling and of friendship and about the last dragon in existence.

I am on the fence about Iron Hearted Violet. There are several things that commend it. The strength of its female characters is one of them. In this world, women occupy positions of power (including within the army) very naturally and without it being an issue. Violet herself is a worthy protagonist and I loved her arc and her learning journey about what it takes to be a real princess and how to assume responsibility for one’s kingdom. I loved the importance given to loyalty and friendship as well as the thematic core of the novel and the importance of stories and storytelling. One of the biggest draws for me was the narrator – omniscient and intrusive, self-aggrandising but often self-deprecating (which was super fun to read) – but what was a draw for me personally, might well be a turn off for other readers as it often happens with narrative choices such as these.

That said, I continuously questioned the “truths” portrayed in the novel and some of the internal rules of the story seemed rather…illogical?

For example: even though we are told over and over again how this is a Good Kingdom, and how Violet is loved by everybody, Violet is still completely friendless apart from her friendship with Demetrius. That doesn’t make sense within the confines of the book – unless you consider how for the story to actually work, Violet needed be a lonely girl which just means that her loneliness is an extremely contrived plot point.

Another point that confused me is the story behind the creation of the world and the forgotten God, The Nybbas. On the one hand, nobody could talk about the The Nybbas because the story has established that merely speaking about it means giving it power. On the other hand, the other Gods who imprisoned him (they couldn’t kill the God for good for…reasons) seemed to be counting on the fact that The Nybbas would make a comeback which can only mean that people would talk about it. It is a nonsensical conundrum if I have ever seen one.

One of the main themes of the story is how the idea that a Princess must always be Impossibly Beautiful (i.e. too long, heavy hair, tiny feet which makes walking properly impossible, etc) is made fun of and is often criticized. The book pokes fun at classical stories where Beauty is the sole defining characteristic of princesses and it makes a point of showing that Violet, despite not being classically beautiful (quite the contrary) was in fact, a True Princess because of her actions. This is all well and good and definitely a good message to impart. But I wished that the book had been a little bit clearer about the fact that being beautiful does not necessarily translate into being evil either.

Finally, the biggest flaw of Iron Hearted Violet stems from the very thing that the story is criticising and how its illustrations failure to conform with the story that this book is telling. The illustrations here are important and a part of the storytelling and yet….all of its illustrations of Violet as well as its cover do NOT show her as she is described. The fact that the entire book is illustrated with Violet as a beautiful girl basically undermines the very thematic core of the book. It drove me to distraction to be honest and made me so mad that this book is being sold with these illustrations that do not match the character. This to me, despite its strengths, effectively derailed the story.

Thea’s Take:

I’m of a very similar mind when it comes to Iron Heated Violet. On the one hand, as Ana says, I love the idea and core conceit behind this book. I mean, you have a princess that is loved no matter WHAT she looks like, who discovers that being a true princess has nothing to do with her appearance and everything to do with her heart and strength and character! That is an amazing message! There’s also a cool (in theory) fantasy element with multiple universes, multiple gods, dragons without hearts, and mischief aplenty. All of this (again, in theory) is fantastic.

BUT.

There is a big BUT. There are a number of issues with regard to execution. I agree with basically everything Ana has outlined above, and won’t rehash anything (except when it comes to the illustrations, but more on that in a bit). From a pure story and writing perspective, there were a couple of significant stumbling blocks, from the awkward narration to the stunted pacing, and some of the writing and stylistic choices.

Let’s start with the narration, shall we? Iron Hearted Violet is narrated by the court storyteller, who frequently interjects with his opinions, with some foreshadowing (as he’s telling the story after the fact), and his own touches at wit and humor. Unfortunately, the result is a bit strange and uneven, as the storyteller’s actual importance and presence in the story wavers. There were times in the book where the storyteller would disappear and I would forget altogether that we had a character narrator – only to be jarred out of that experience when the storyteller would appear again suddenly, breaking the fourth wall. (This is to say nothing of the fact that the storyteller cannot possibly have seen/known everything that he did, so there’s an authenticity problem, too.)

Compounding this narrative shakiness is the problem of pacing, the actual writing style and execution. From a pacing perspective, while the majority of the story is told in longer direct chapters, the middle portion of the book was filled with shorter, choppier chapters often ending with different characters muttering ominously about signs before vanishing or dramatically leaving. For example:

“Come, Moth,” she said briskly. “We have work to do.” And they turned their faces into the sighing wind and vanished in the gloom.

“Demetrius? Where are you going?” But it was too late. Demetrius ran past the stables and disappeared from sight.

Help me, Cassian, mouthed her lips. And Violet vanished from sight.

“THREE!” Moth shouted, and with the three small creatures clinging to his clothing, Demetrius launched into the darkness and fell into the pit.

Meanwhile, at the end of other chapters, some characters grin evilly in the dark:

And in the darkness, a single eye – bright and hot like an ember – blinked once, twice, and glowed open.

And from its prison, the Nybbas grinned its yellow grin. NOW, it crowed. NOW, NOW, NOW.

Needless to say, when every chapter ends this way for chapters on end, these dramatic gestures kind of lose their impact.

Stylistically (and perhaps this is a nitpick but it was confusing and jarring for me so I think worth mentioning), a subset of special characters were defined by their speech reflected in ALL CAPS. The frustrating thing about this choice is that these are all very different characters – one is The Nybbas, one is a Dragon, and one is another God. Perhaps a different font choice would have been a better way to differentiate between these varied characters? Your mileage may vary.

Finally, I cannot, cannot end this review without reiterating everything Ana has already said regarding the illustrations. Violet is very pointedly, very importantly NOT a perfect, pretty princess. She, in fact, is repeatedly described as being very unattractive and growing uglier by the day, with mismatched and mis-sized eyes, coarse and unruly hair, with freckles and moles, a chipped tooth, and a pug nose. Her appearance and her obsession with becoming a beautiful “real” princess is a huge, central point of this book.

You see the problem? What kind of bizarre, contradictory message is this sending by drawing Violet as a perky, pretty princess?! It baffles the mind as to why anyone would allow this representation of Violet in the final book as it is so blatantly contrary to on of the core themes of the story (essentially saying, to me, maybe we can WRITE about ugly princesses but no one really wants to SEE anyone that isn’t beautiful in the accompanying illustrations.).I should add that Kelly Barnhill is not the illustrator of this book (that would be Iacopo Bruno). We should also say that we have no idea as to whether or not Kelly Barnhill had any input regarding the book’s illustrations.

Needless to say, it was incredibly distracting, disappointing, and deeply disheartening....more

How did I not know this book existed until a month ago? It's been out two years! It has a dragon and a little red haired girl on the cover! And it's wonderful! A fascinating and unusual fantasy, like a fairy tale, or a story by E. Nesbit, with strange and wonderful dragon lore. A must read for fans of dragons, magic, and adventure!

This story is told via the device of a court storyteller (one who keeps addressing the reader as "my dears"), and has a strong fairytale air, mixed with an epic fantasy plot. It is the tale of both Violet and Demetrius, as well as the storyteller.

Violet is an intelligent, lively, curious, mischievous princess, born to loving parents after many miscarriages, who happens to have very curly hair, uneven skin, an average sized body, mismatched eyes and a not precisely symmetrical face. She's not exaThis story is told via the device of a court storyteller (one who keeps addressing the reader as "my dears"), and has a strong fairytale air, mixed with an epic fantasy plot. It is the tale of both Violet and Demetrius, as well as the storyteller.

Violet is an intelligent, lively, curious, mischievous princess, born to loving parents after many miscarriages, who happens to have very curly hair, uneven skin, an average sized body, mismatched eyes and a not precisely symmetrical face. She's not exactly ugly (certainly not in the illustrations throughout the book), but she doesn't meet the incredibly high standards of fairytale princesses, and though she's apparently loved by her family and the land's people, occasional slips of the tongue have served to make her keenly aware of failing to live up to impossible standards of beauty, and thus she feels deep-down that she's not a "real" princess. [Note: this kingdom has men and women serving in the military, and Violet is its only heir, but she's never shown learning how to run the kingdom other than when she's worried about her mother and keeping close to her, and there's no actual reason why she needs to be beautiful beyond that in stories princesses are beautiful.]

Demetrius is the head groom's son, shy, assured, loving. He becomes Violet's only friend (given that the people of the kingdom theoretically adore her, I have no idea why she has no other friends). They get up to mischief until they find a hidden library and a book which allows the Nybbas - an exiled god whose history is verbotim - to worm its way into Violet's heart, play on her belief that she's not a real princess, and try to escape its prison, taking advantage of the Demetrius' absence on a dragon hunt led by a king (who has grown obsessed with that dying race).

The Nybbas is evil because it's evil. Demetrius is impossibly good. The Queen is fridged. Violet gets to be taught a lesson that beauty is not what real princesses are made of.

I really didn't connect to this book. The storyteller's voice definitely didn't work for me, and I didn't warm to any of the characters....more

Pug nose, blotchy skin, mismatched eyes... meet the ugly princess. Now that's an interesting premise. Ignore the illustrations that make ugly Princess Violet look cute. Obviously, the artist didn't get the theme in this enjoyable fantasy. Violet has a strong personality, quick mind, and mouth. She's likable and strong-willed with a best friend, Demetrius, whom she explores the castle with on a daily basis. The castle is alive and has corridors that grow, shrink, and move making their adventuresPug nose, blotchy skin, mismatched eyes... meet the ugly princess. Now that's an interesting premise. Ignore the illustrations that make ugly Princess Violet look cute. Obviously, the artist didn't get the theme in this enjoyable fantasy. Violet has a strong personality, quick mind, and mouth. She's likable and strong-willed with a best friend, Demetrius, whom she explores the castle with on a daily basis. The castle is alive and has corridors that grow, shrink, and move making their adventures exciting. When the two stumble upon an ominous painting they release an evil into the world that threatens to destroy humankind. They must look within themselves to save the world.

I couldn't put this book down. Kelly Barnhill writes with a lot of action and tension. Her plot points aren't always clear, but overall I find her stories quite different and entertaining. The narrator tells the story in first person omniscient and then there is a switch to 3rd person with other characters. The narrator is the court storyteller and he weaves the story with humor, self-deprecation, and foreshadowing. He disappears in the middle of the story but he's a coward and it takes him longer to find courage than Violet and Demetrius so it didn't bother me. Some might find it jarring when he jumps back into the mix after an absence.

Themes of friendship, loyalty, heroism, love, internal strength versus looks, kindness, importance of stories and more are sprinkled throughout this novel. There is plenty to discuss and the creation story is unique. The dragon steals the show with its wisdom and humor and I wanted him to whisper in the king's mind the wrongness of enslaving him. I understood that the Nybbas used mirrors to control people but I didn't quite understand why the queen got sick and how she knew the future. There was no mirror involved with her so it wasn't clear how the Nybbas was working his magic. I also wanted more of an explanation of the creatures that came out of the Mountain King's mirror and their history with the Nybbas. The story with the old gods and the Nybbas needed more hashing out, but it didn't keep me from reading the entire book in one sitting. A fun fantasy.

Sometimes, you just need something simple. Something somewhat predictable, charming and just downright classic. That's what I needed when it came Iron-Hearted Violet, and it fit the bill perfectly. Simple. Charming, and just adorable.

Violet isn't like most princesses -the storybook kind, that is. She isn't pretty. She isn't fragile. And she isn't anywhere near graceful. And in the stories that Violet enjoys telling so much, the princesses are always beautiful and the dragons are always evil. ButSometimes, you just need something simple. Something somewhat predictable, charming and just downright classic. That's what I needed when it came Iron-Hearted Violet, and it fit the bill perfectly. Simple. Charming, and just adorable.

Violet isn't like most princesses -the storybook kind, that is. She isn't pretty. She isn't fragile. And she isn't anywhere near graceful. And in the stories that Violet enjoys telling so much, the princesses are always beautiful and the dragons are always evil. But Violet may have found the answer when she finds a forbidden book -and begins communicating with a mysterious creature on the other side of the mirror who claims that he can solve all of her problems. But all things come at a price.

Told through the eyes of the court storyteller, Iron-Hearted Violet tells a tale of beauty, dragons, and the power of the heart -no matter who that heart belongs to. Even though I don't read much Middle Grade fiction, it's sometimes a nice change from everything else out there, and I can really appreciate the simplicity of these types of fairy tale-esque novels. And Iron-Hearted Violet does an excellent job of sticking with the "theme" but giving it a little something different.

Author Kelly Barnhill's writing is completely engrossing and downright enchanting. I enjoyed how the story had something of an edge to it, and the enemies were truly frightening -which is a nice change from most MG novels, which seem to prefer to skirt the villain issue entirely. Violet captured the spirit of the genre perfectly while still adding something new to it.

While I wouldn't expect anything amazing or unique from this novel, it's an inspiring and charming story that's perfect for young readers....more

This book started out fine, and the premise of an unpretty princess who knows that all the princesses in stories ARE pretty was enough to keep me reading. And the more I read the more interesting and sad and wonderful the story got. But it didn't totally win me over until the ending. Violet won me over at the ending.

I think kids will enjoy the story and the adventure and the way fairytale elements get presented, but as an adult this book had an unexpected effect on me. Part of this story is aboThis book started out fine, and the premise of an unpretty princess who knows that all the princesses in stories ARE pretty was enough to keep me reading. And the more I read the more interesting and sad and wonderful the story got. But it didn't totally win me over until the ending. Violet won me over at the ending.

I think kids will enjoy the story and the adventure and the way fairytale elements get presented, but as an adult this book had an unexpected effect on me. Part of this story is about being a girl that people love (a smart girl, a funny girl, an adventurous girl) even as they acknowledge that she's not pretty or beautiful (and probably won't ever be). It's a story about what happens to a girl who thinks that when things go wrong it's because she doesn't look the way she's supposed to.

This might be a middle grade book, but this part of the story absolutely tore me apart. I couldn't help but compare Violet's story to contemporary girls confronted with a host of media telling them that if they lose that 10 pounds, dye their hair the right color, wear the right outfit, etc. etc. etc. their life will be perfect. The idea that your appearance will affect your happiness is so huge, and it's pushed so hard at girls. This book hit all the right notes for me on this issue. It explores stress, grieving, and growing and how appearance, and your perception of your own appearance, play into all those issues. Also, it's an adventure about dragons and gods and kingdoms.

It may start a little bit slow, but this book is absolutely worth the read....more

Rich, textured language fills this tale of a girl, a boy, a dragon, and an old god imprisoned who now might have schemed his way to being free. Violet is a princess. But she is not the typical fairy tale princess with clear skin, long hair and gorgeous eyes. Violet is plain, has mis-matched eyes, unruly hair, and blotchy skin. She knows she isn't the perfect princess but she is also clever and stubborn.

He best friend is Demetrius. He is the son of the stablemaster and he becomes Violet's closestRich, textured language fills this tale of a girl, a boy, a dragon, and an old god imprisoned who now might have schemed his way to being free. Violet is a princess. But she is not the typical fairy tale princess with clear skin, long hair and gorgeous eyes. Violet is plain, has mis-matched eyes, unruly hair, and blotchy skin. She knows she isn't the perfect princess but she is also clever and stubborn.

He best friend is Demetrius. He is the son of the stablemaster and he becomes Violet's closest companion. Together they roam the castle and the area around the castle looking for adventure and just doing what kids do. One day they find hidden tunnels that are just large enough for them to crawl through and, while exploring, discover a hidden library, a picture of dead-eyed dragons, and a book. Demetrius just knows that the book is dangerous but Violet's curiosity compels her to take it away with her.

This story revolves around story. Everyone knows all the stories and learns from them. But one story is secret. It is so dangerous that only a few know it. It can't be told because stories become real and become life. But it is a story that has to be known. It is a story of a cruel and malicious god who was imprisoned in this mirror world by the other gods. It is the story of a god tempting and suborning and lying to gain its release from its imprisonment.

This story is told by the court storyteller Cassian who tells the story and talks to us in the audience, too. Normally, I don't care for it when the story's narrator pulls me out of the story by talking to me as a reader. This time it worked for me.

This was a wonderful story with marvelous language. I can see it being a great read-aloud. ...more

I was prepared to love this book. I ordered it a week after I discovered it here on GR. I counted the days until it arrived and quickly sunk my teeth into it. But alas, 'twas not meant to be.

IHV containes elements of Tad William's Shadowmarch series and the movie Dragonheart; but this book is not nearly as intriguing as either.

It resembles Shadowmarch in that there are also small human-like fae (for lack of a better word), and IHV has a god who lives deep*CONTAINS SPOILERS*****TURN BACK NOW****

I was prepared to love this book. I ordered it a week after I discovered it here on GR. I counted the days until it arrived and quickly sunk my teeth into it. But alas, 'twas not meant to be.

IHV containes elements of Tad William's Shadowmarch series and the movie Dragonheart; but this book is not nearly as intriguing as either.

It resembles Shadowmarch in that there are also small human-like fae (for lack of a better word), and IHV has a god who lives deep underground, under the castle while Shadowmarch has a god under Funderling town; both have live-in storytellers. Shadowmarch also has evil beings in mirrors (though not exclusive to Shadowmarch, it adds up with the other elements). It doesn't bear a resemblence to Snow White because the mirror was not inherintly evil; this one is.

It is like Dragonheart for it's mumbo jumbo concerning dragons...and hearts. I won't go into depth, just watch the movie.

The danger presented by the Nybbas is vague; everyone acts crabby or unhappy, and that's about it; the war was not directly caused by the Nybbas. It was a result of Violet's father crossing the border of the Mountain King's kingdom, and things snowballed from there. The Nybbas played a part, but that was after the fact. And just what was in those stories Violet spent so much time reading?

And the children (13 years old or so) are so easily inclined to violence against the narrator, threatening his life with knives for telling his fanciful stories and not living up to their own expectations. Speaking of the narrator, what little we get to know about the narrator, at first, is that he is a powerful storyteller, loved by the court, and especially the princess; she seeks to spend every spare moment with him, and he is loyal to her in turn. BAM! He's a coward, the children (Violet and her friend) take turns menacing him, then the court turns on him and wants to send him to the dungeon. This is to illustrate how quickly emotions change. You COULD call him an unreliable narrator up to that point, saying that maybe he was lying about how much he was liked, but he didn't seem all that petulant or show other characteristics of someone trying to paint themselves in the best light; I think he was honest all along. Violet also hates the dragon and blames it, irrationally, for her mother's death and insults it to its face. They don't see each other for a while...then they love each other when they are reunited. Huh?

And calling everyone 'beloved' because it's 'proper' just gets on my nerves. They call everyone that! They don't use names, they say 'beloved'; and these citizens can talk to animals while those of other kingdoms can't. The kingdom of Andulan is just so perfect I want to vomit. La-dee-fricken'-da.

I could go on, but I'm writing on a smartphone, and writing this much has been a slow process compared to a laptop. Overall, this really amounts to a story written in the simple style of the Brothers Grimm, but stretched beyond the bounds of neccessity. Seriously, 300 pages, tops, would have been sufficient; my copy has 423 pages. Yeah. The novel is too long for the style it's written in, so who exactly is the target audience here? Whatever. Meh, I say!...more

Violet is a beloved princess, the only living child of her parents and they live in a kingdom ruled by tales of the old gods who created their world. But she isn't the way a princess is supposed to be. Violet isn't pretty, graceful or cautious. Violet only has one real friend, Demetrius (the stablemaster's son) and she loves to tell stories about beautiful princesses and evil dragons. But when her Father goes on a quest to find the last living dragon (not to kill it, but to learn from it) and heViolet is a beloved princess, the only living child of her parents and they live in a kingdom ruled by tales of the old gods who created their world. But she isn't the way a princess is supposed to be. Violet isn't pretty, graceful or cautious. Violet only has one real friend, Demetrius (the stablemaster's son) and she loves to tell stories about beautiful princesses and evil dragons. But when her Father goes on a quest to find the last living dragon (not to kill it, but to learn from it) and her Mother becomes sick, she and Demetrius find a book in a hidden room. Violet thinks the book and the creature trapped in it are the answers to all her problems. But the Nybbas may not be all that it presents itself to be. When her very world starts to crumble, only Demetrius and the Dragon will be able to help her stop the Nybbas from taking over the world. Can they change the story for the better? This book is from the point of view of the court storyteller which was an interesting departure from the ususal third-person omniscient or first-person point of views. At first I was really drawn into the enchantment of the mirrored-world and it's unconventional princess. I immediately knew what was going to happen when Violet's Father went away and her Mother became ill, and it made me sad. I loved the fact that Violet was best friends with the stable boy Demetrius. But the fact that she is so eager to get rid of everything that made her unique and she didn't see anything wrong with it made me angry. Even by the end of the book I felt like Violet was only sorry that things had gone so wrong, barely understanding that she was perfect the way she was. I liked the fantasy aspect of the evil god being trapped in the Forbidden Book. But I felt like the book was overly moralistic and it really began to annoy me by the last 50 pages or so. The characters were interesting, but I felt like the only ones that were developed enough were Violet and the court storyteller. The rest of them were slightly two-dimensional. The plot was intriguing, but I feel like there was too much filler surrounding the main points of action for it to truly shine. The fact that this book was an ARC and didn't contain the illustrations that will be in the final version also detracted from my enjoyment. Overall, a good middle-grade, fantasy novel but not really one I would recommend to anyone over thirteen and expect them to fall in love with it.

VERDICT: 3/5 Stars

*I received this book as part of Around the World ARC Tours, run by the lovely Princess Bookie. No favors or money were exchanged for this review. It will be available for purchase on October 9th, 2012.*...more

My attention was immediately captivated by the synopsis of the novel. I mean, how could I or anyone resist an outspoken and plain princess, her best friend and a mean dragon?

Iron Hearted Violet was a different book than I had imagined it would be. Oh it had all the elements I expected it to but it had something more, something that I hadn’t thought it would concern itself with. Substance. I thought it would be an adventure story that would leave me delighted, and it was, but there are heavier thMy attention was immediately captivated by the synopsis of the novel. I mean, how could I or anyone resist an outspoken and plain princess, her best friend and a mean dragon?

Iron Hearted Violet was a different book than I had imagined it would be. Oh it had all the elements I expected it to but it had something more, something that I hadn’t thought it would concern itself with. Substance. I thought it would be an adventure story that would leave me delighted, and it was, but there are heavier themes in the novel that kept me thinking long after I had turned the last page.

The way the novel is framed distinguishes it from the rest of its coterie. The narrator of Iron Hearted Violet is an old man, the Court Storyteller (some might call him the historian, if you will) so you are always at a distance from the main characters of the novel and usually this would be vexing but Barnhill very cleverly uses this distance to draw attention to aspects of the main characters that the reader would not be privy to were we present in the main characters’ heads. We are with Violet and Demetrius from when they are born to their teens and through the storyteller’s eyes, we see Violet grow, devour stories, make up stories and make a friend: Demetrius. We see her parents who are actually properly present (some of the times and not throughout) and we see her growing up and beyond what everyone hoped her to be.

The world building is solid and the characterizations are well done. The reader gets a sense of who Violet and Demetrius are even through the storyteller’s eyes. The fae folk are also fun and appropriate to the story. The setting works amazingly.

Violet is born a princess in a world that has some very fixed expectations about what a princess should look like. Violet is not beautiful. In fact, there are those who would say that Violet is ugly and others who would argue that she is beautiful in her own way. Either ways, Violet does not feel beautiful and the villain of the piece preys on that insecurity of hers to manipulate her into a position that will facilitate her breaking out of the prison she has been held captive in for generations. There is this poignant scene when Violet realizes that she is not beautiful and this made the novel so much better and put it in context of the superficial society we live in. I loved the way the issue of her looks is resolved. Violet finds out that there is more to life than the way you look and really, there is something to be said for feet that actually do what they are supposed to instead of just looking pretty and small.

If that was an enigmatic sentence, you should read the novel to find out what I’m talking about. Do I recommend it? Yes I do. The plot is intriguing, the characters likeable and the resolution believable. Villain slaying princesses, no matter what they look like, win the day. Read this. You won’t be disappointed....more

In short: If I were to describe Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill in one word, it would be Charming.

Middle Grade fantasies featuring strong and charismatic protagonists and creative world building are among my favourite kind of books to read and I had a feeling Iron Hearted Violet would give me exactly what I wanted - and it did. Kelly Barnhill has crafted an adventurous and unconventional story with a completely endearing protagonist. And what's more, there was SUBSTANCE here in the themesIn short: If I were to describe Iron Hearted Violet by Kelly Barnhill in one word, it would be Charming.

Middle Grade fantasies featuring strong and charismatic protagonists and creative world building are among my favourite kind of books to read and I had a feeling Iron Hearted Violet would give me exactly what I wanted - and it did. Kelly Barnhill has crafted an adventurous and unconventional story with a completely endearing protagonist. And what's more, there was SUBSTANCE here in the themes and messages of the novel. If I had to describe Iron Hearted Violet in one word, it would be Charming. I was utterly charmed by the story, characters, and writing.

Iron Hearted Violet is narrated not by Violet, but by the Court Storyteller, stepping away from the more traditional first person and third person omniscient points of view, which added a lot of interest and texture to the story that I really appreciated. It also really brought home the message of the power of storytelling and gave the story a fairytale feel, which was genius on Kelly Barnhill's part. Her bewitching prose was a delight to read and so very playful. The plot was well done - perhaps a bit too predictable at times - but very intriguing and whimsical.

I loved Violet. She is not your typical princess - she isn't graceful or fragile. And she is described as being a homely princess, with a lopsided face, mismatched eyes, and a frizzy and unruly mane of hair. Though I have to say, even though I knew all this, I couldn't help picturing her as an adorable and charming girl, just based on the strength of her personality. She may not be princess-conventionally-pretty, but she is unique and beautiful in her own way. It's hard not to be charmed by such a clever, inquisitive, and dauntless protagonist!

I was mostly impressed by the illustrations present in Iron Hearted Violet, as drawn by Iacopo Bruno, though I have a few quibbles: first off, that awesome scene depicted on the cover of Violet riding on the back of a dragon? NEVER happens. So that was disappointing and misleading. Also, Violet as illustrated by Iacopo Bruno is not the Violet at described by Kelly Barnhill: the illustrations of her are more conventionally pretty than the physical characteristics described in the book and I would have preferred to see her as her unique and adorable self instead.

Overall, Iron Hearted Violet was a super charming read and I look forward to reading more books from Kelly Barnhill in the future. Iron Hearted Violet is a standalone....more

Beautifully deceptive and filled with dark intrigue, this is a story of power, wonder, and fear. Kelly Barnhill fills her pages with unique wisdom, charm, and most important: the power of belief. Iron Hearted Violet is a story that will stay with reader's as they traverse the pages and immerse themselves into a world unknow, a world unlike any other told in the rich span of fairy tales. It's deeply forbidden and dripping withFairy tales usually end with happily-ever-after's.

This one doesn't.

Beautifully deceptive and filled with dark intrigue, this is a story of power, wonder, and fear. Kelly Barnhill fills her pages with unique wisdom, charm, and most important: the power of belief. Iron Hearted Violet is a story that will stay with reader's as they traverse the pages and immerse themselves into a world unknow, a world unlike any other told in the rich span of fairy tales. It's deeply forbidden and dripping with a uinque enchanting originality.

Princess Violet is just a bit too clever for her own good and a little reckless, when it comes to telling stories. One day, she and Demetrius (her best friend), find their way into a hidden room where they soon discover a forbidden book. Deep within its tattered old bindings, together they find a world unknown to them - a world where a terrifying evil being is trapped - a world where the Nybbas have ensnared within their world. Once discovered, Violet and Demetrius decide that this dark beguiling world of wonder and terrifying evil simply cannot be real...Until they begin to hear the whispers calling to them from afar. Together, with the last known dragon to exist terrified of his own shadow, they hold the key to freeing the Nybba's or causing their demise. It all depends on the way they tell the story, because after all...stories are known to make their own rules.

The power of belief in this story is bound to change an entire kingdom and it rests in the hands of one young princess who is far too clever for her own good, a mischevious tag-along best friend, and an anceint terrified dragon - the last of its own kind. The Iron Viloet is an entraning story full of wonder, surprise, adventure, and suspense that will appeal to those of all ages. Who doesn't love fairy tales, especially one's that aren't like any other they've ever been told before? Kelly Barnhill's wonderous descriptive and imaginative details leap to life off of the pages and possesses the power to tug reader's into the mysterious and darkly enchanting world she's created. Unconventional and splendidly original at its best, The Iron Violet is a story that will wow any reader who dares to take the unlikely journey told.

The end is exactly where it begins and it's full of whimsical delight, uncanny humor sure to bring life to the story, and wonderful adventure. The story Kelly Barnhill tells takes on a life of its own and soon becomes richly captivating and completely enchanting. She gives it wonderful edge by depicting the villians as they should be in any story, truly terrifying and downright villianous. It's such a refreshing change of pace, to witness them being truly evil without appearing as sympathetic as some who have come before them in young adult literature. The fantasy aspect of Iron Hearted Violet is beautifully written and will appeal to anyone who enjoys evil beings ensnared in vastly different and unique world between the pages of a book. Anyone who enjoys reading in general, will be able to appreciate this aspect.

Kelly Barnhill has elevated young adult and middle grade fantasy to a higher level and has definitely set the bar high. Fairy tales will not be the same again....more

Iron Hearted Violet is a middle grade fantasy novel that takes place in an imaginary multiverse. Only dragons can travel from one realm to the next by pressing against the thin skins of each realm until they pass through to the other side. Princess Violet lives in the Andulan Realm, which has a mirrored sky. It is believed that something lured the dragons to Andulan, and the dragons cannot escape because they are afraid of their own reflections. Violet’s father, King Randall, has been infatuatedIron Hearted Violet is a middle grade fantasy novel that takes place in an imaginary multiverse. Only dragons can travel from one realm to the next by pressing against the thin skins of each realm until they pass through to the other side. Princess Violet lives in the Andulan Realm, which has a mirrored sky. It is believed that something lured the dragons to Andulan, and the dragons cannot escape because they are afraid of their own reflections. Violet’s father, King Randall, has been infatuated with dragons his entire life and keeps detailed notes on all of his findings. He desperately wants to find a way to save the dragons, even though none have been spotted in over a century.

Violet is the only child of King Randall and his beautiful wife, Queen Rose. Despite the Queen having had many pregnancies, she was only able to bring one child to term. Unlike her mother, Violet is not beautiful. Sadly, people speak of her ugliness with no concern as to how their comments will affect Violet. She thinks that she is “not like a real princess,” who should be beautiful with long, luscious hair just as they are in fairy tales. Instead, she has a mass of unruly red curls and two mismatched eyes. The lonely girl makes friends with the stable master’s son, who is the same age as she is. The royal advisers are against Violet making friends with a boy of lower social class, but Violet’s parents do not see the harm. Violet and Demetrius spend their days exploring the castle’s many secret passageways and hidden rooms. They come upon a hidden library with a book that talks about the thirteenth god of the multiverse. This god is never spoken of, and his name is not even known. There have been rumours of his existence, but the elders deny it. Violet and Demetrius have stumbled upon a secret that will change everything if it is revealed.

I enjoyed this tale of magic and mystery, and I am sure that children will become enchanted with it. I like that Barnhill made Violet with less than perfect physical characteristics. I love children’s books that teach a moral lesson, and Violet and the townsfolk learn that beauty is not always what it appears to be.

Simon Vance is always a delight to listen to, and his narration was spot-on! He is a master at the art of storytelling.

I received this audiobook from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any compensation for my review, and the views expressed herein are my own. ...more

This is one of those good ol' fantasy books, filled with princesses, dragons, and a fight to save the kingdom. Even better, there is absolutely no romance! Princess Violet is not beautiful, and she's surrounded by stories where all the princesses are beautiful. She has come ot believe that to be a real princess she must be beautiful, like her mother was. This is the first fantasy book I've read where the heroine isn't perfect and actually slips over to the dark side for a while. Though Violet isThis is one of those good ol' fantasy books, filled with princesses, dragons, and a fight to save the kingdom. Even better, there is absolutely no romance! Princess Violet is not beautiful, and she's surrounded by stories where all the princesses are beautiful. She has come ot believe that to be a real princess she must be beautiful, like her mother was. This is the first fantasy book I've read where the heroine isn't perfect and actually slips over to the dark side for a while. Though Violet is thirteen years old, she seems younger. In her world, there are two suns, a mirrored sky, and you can actually go to the edge of the world. Even though there's an important reason for the mirriored sky, it's very whimsical and fun. In many books there is no reason for these things; it's as if authors go "What random things can I do with the sky?" When the book is published, I'd love to flip through it and see all the illustrations that are to come.

Iron Hearted Violet is a recently published middle grade fantasy. It is the story of Violet, the intelligent but not-so-beautiful princess. When she is thirteen, her world begins crumbling. Nybbas, the thirteenth god, has risen again, and is bent on the destruction of everything that Violet loves. She and her best friend Demetrius, and a scarred dragon who's afraid of his own reflection, may be their only hope of saving their kingdom and their world.

Interestingly, the book is narrated in the firIron Hearted Violet is a recently published middle grade fantasy. It is the story of Violet, the intelligent but not-so-beautiful princess. When she is thirteen, her world begins crumbling. Nybbas, the thirteenth god, has risen again, and is bent on the destruction of everything that Violet loves. She and her best friend Demetrius, and a scarred dragon who's afraid of his own reflection, may be their only hope of saving their kingdom and their world.

Interestingly, the book is narrated in the first person- by Cassian, the court storyteller. I guess, it makes sense, if you think about. He's the storyteller, and he's telling this story. Violet herself loves to tell stories; she learns from Cassian and often sneaks away from her lessons to learn from him. It's one of those cases of the student surpassing the teacher. She's even better at telling stories than he is.

I liked Iron Hearted Violet; it was a fresh and easy new fantasy. A lot goes on in the book; there's the dragon hunt, there's the Mountain King who's bent on invading their kingdom, and of course, there's Nybbas, the central evil in the story.

Kelly Barnhill creates an interesting world. It's mirrored, so there are two suns, the Lesser and the Greater. They rise at different times of day. I would imagine there are two moons too. This book has a fairly original plot, though obviously the un-traditional princess card has been played often, like Cimorene from Dealing With Dragons. But Cimorene actually is pretty, just not in the traditional blonde empty-headed way. Violet is not pretty all (though actually, in the drawings in the book, she looks pretty good).

Iron Hearted Violet was fairly suspenseful. It certainly kept me reading, and went by quickly. The characters are all well portrayed, and the setting well developed. I'm glad I checked this out of the library, though I don't think it's worth buying, until you see if you love it.

A decent little adventure story which explores, a bit, the power of stories to shape people's perspectives - both for the good and ill.

The titular Violet is an ugly princess who, early in the story, is told that "real princesses" have to be beautiful. At least in stories. But when things start going wrong, she starts thinking that maybe it's because she's not a "real princess".

Overall the story reminded me a bit of the Care Bears movie - the part where (view spoiler)[an evil spirit plays on N2.5

A decent little adventure story which explores, a bit, the power of stories to shape people's perspectives - both for the good and ill.

The titular Violet is an ugly princess who, early in the story, is told that "real princesses" have to be beautiful. At least in stories. But when things start going wrong, she starts thinking that maybe it's because she's not a "real princess".

Overall the story reminded me a bit of the Care Bears movie - the part where (view spoiler)[an evil spirit plays on Nicholas' internal fears and doubts and magnifies them. In the end good triumphs, and we learn that what's inside matters more than what's on the outside. (hide spoiler)]

But, while it has a nice message and I'd maybe recommend it for the younger folken, it's pretty standard stuff and nothing about it makes it really stand out in any way.

One thing that was kinda cool, though, was how it was written as a sort of memoir of a secondary character who has no problems pointing out how weak-willed he was. That was kinda different.

ETA: I will add that, in the first half of the book, I was a bit worried our princess was rather too wishy-washy for that which is suggested by the title, but I really like how she grows and takes charge by the end.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>...more

This was rather a surprise. A spur-of-the-moment checkout at the library based mostly on the cover (which is a very silly way to pick books, as a rule, since a lot of really insipid books have really pretty covers). However, this one was surprisingly, wonderfully deep, thoughtful, and poetic.

The titular Violet is the last princess of her realm. She doesn't look like a princess "should" look, at least according to the stories told by Cassian, the story's narrator. She's got crazy hair, lopsided eThis was rather a surprise. A spur-of-the-moment checkout at the library based mostly on the cover (which is a very silly way to pick books, as a rule, since a lot of really insipid books have really pretty covers). However, this one was surprisingly, wonderfully deep, thoughtful, and poetic.

The titular Violet is the last princess of her realm. She doesn't look like a princess "should" look, at least according to the stories told by Cassian, the story's narrator. She's got crazy hair, lopsided eyes, and loads of freckles. No skin smooth as ivory, lustrous locks, or enchanting eyes. She befriends Demetrius, the stablemaster's son, who has quite a way with animals. The two of them explore the castle and discover a curious mirror and an even curiouser book. The book is frightening and alluring all at once. The friends vow to leave it alone, but the wicked god trapped in the mirror pulls Violet back with promises of beauty. We all know how that is going to go.

There's loads more to the story: dragons, absent fathers, friendship, and a really interesting theology built on the multiverse concept. Although I found the main enemy a bit too Gollum-esque for my liking, this was extremely well-done. No silly love triangles (thank you, thank you, thank you!), a princess who's not conventionally pretty AND WHO STAYS THAT WAY (hooray!), and a smart commentary on the power of stories. I found the ending ... heartbreaking. No pun intended.

It's a bit long for the intended age group, I think, and perhaps a bit beyond them in its themes. I also wish that the drawings reflected Violet as the author described her--Bruno drew her as rather conventionally attractive the whole time. Sigh.

On the whole, however, I thought this was an interesting and refreshing take on high fantasy for middle-schoolers and young adults. And the older adults who love to read YA. :)...more

I have been longing to read this book, so when I saw it at the library, I snatched it up and checked it out. I have a bad habit of returning library books unread, but luckily the Fairytale Readathon happened in March and I dug right into this one. The narrator of this book is the castle storyteller, who spends a lot of time with Princess Violet, a somewhat ugly child who clings to the idea that in stories all princesses are beautiful. And it's that idea that has her torn in the book between what

I have been longing to read this book, so when I saw it at the library, I snatched it up and checked it out. I have a bad habit of returning library books unread, but luckily the Fairytale Readathon happened in March and I dug right into this one. The narrator of this book is the castle storyteller, who spends a lot of time with Princess Violet, a somewhat ugly child who clings to the idea that in stories all princesses are beautiful. And it's that idea that has her torn in the book between what is good and what is evil, blinded by her own want to be beautiful.

I found it odd at times with the narrator being an adult and often times it was a bit distracting to the story. Violet and Demetrius find their own adventures throughout the book, which gives a break from the strange narration and drives the story forward. Violet is a flawed character, which I enjoyed and she often shows the naivety of childhood but the start of who she could become underneath. I loved the dark undertones of this book and the prominent creep factor to the setting and characters. The Nybbas definitely is a sly and frightening creature who conniving ways may bring down the end of Violet's world as she knows it.

The stories of this world really built up the story and intrigued me. Overall, the only thing that didn't resonate was the choice of narrator. He was a bit of a coward and I didn't like his voice as much as the other characters.

Final Verdict: Definitely a book that resonated with me, despite the flaws and immersed me into the setting of Violet's world. Recommended to lovers of darker fairy tales....more

While this was, for my tastes, too long by half, I enjoyed it a lot. Especially, I liked the considerations of beauty and plainness--though the very pretty girl shown in the pictures irritated me. (It's one thing that she doesn't look like a classic fairy tale princess; we see that girl in the appropriate illustrations later; but would it have been so hard for the illustrator to at least show uneven eyes in the real princess's face?) I liked the multiverse concept, and the setting, and kept beinWhile this was, for my tastes, too long by half, I enjoyed it a lot. Especially, I liked the considerations of beauty and plainness--though the very pretty girl shown in the pictures irritated me. (It's one thing that she doesn't look like a classic fairy tale princess; we see that girl in the appropriate illustrations later; but would it have been so hard for the illustrator to at least show uneven eyes in the real princess's face?) I liked the multiverse concept, and the setting, and kept being startled when a "soldier" or somesuch was referenced and casually referred to as "she". I loved the King. I loved most of the characters, really. One for gift-giving....more

Barnhill is the author of The Mostly True Story of Jack, which impressed with its depth and detail. She falls a little short in this tale of a princess whose ordinary, even homely looks make her a little self-conscious, since of course, princesses are supposed to be beautiful. But Violet is precious because her parents waited so long for her and could not have more children. She is wild and adventuresome and her favorite occupation is to listen to the stories told by the court storyteller, CassiBarnhill is the author of The Mostly True Story of Jack, which impressed with its depth and detail. She falls a little short in this tale of a princess whose ordinary, even homely looks make her a little self-conscious, since of course, princesses are supposed to be beautiful. But Violet is precious because her parents waited so long for her and could not have more children. She is wild and adventuresome and her favorite occupation is to listen to the stories told by the court storyteller, Cassian, whose sometime narration helps the novel along. Cassian hints at the start that this book is the story of how the world ended. Violet and her best friend, the stableboy Demetrius, love to explore the castle, and one day discover a very dusty, secret room, and in the room, a book. The book will be the start of something very, very bad, and the world is in danger. I thought the book went on a little too long, and in trying to portray the difficult-to-grasp notion of multiple universes the author oversimplified. Still, this is a decent fantasy with expected fantasy elements (though sometimes a little underdeveloped). There were good messages about body image and self esteem. 5th-6th grade. ...more

Iron Hearted Violet is one of the more lyrical MG books I’ve ever read. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the author is a poet, although I don’t believe that lyrical writing can only come from poets or that all poets are lyrical. Barnhill whisks you away into this world with sentences that flow together, kind of like you’re floating down a lazy river at a waterpark. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the story and not notice the sun setting and that your eyes are straining to read thIron Hearted Violet is one of the more lyrical MG books I’ve ever read. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that the author is a poet, although I don’t believe that lyrical writing can only come from poets or that all poets are lyrical. Barnhill whisks you away into this world with sentences that flow together, kind of like you’re floating down a lazy river at a waterpark. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the story and not notice the sun setting and that your eyes are straining to read the print in the dim light of dusk. With a novel that places a lot of emphasis on storytelling and stories being living beings, it only makes sense that the writing for Iron Hearted Violet would beat with a hypnotic rhythm to lull us into that part of our minds that devour books and tales.

I loved Demetrius because he was a true friend to Violet. I found myself saying, "You're so cool!" I don't mean "cool" in a "I'm Danny Zucko" sense, but because he was the kind of friend that took your verbal beatings because he knew it was something else that was bothering you and not him. The kind of friend that was always looking out for you, kind of like Mr. Knightley from Emma if Mr. Knightley was thirteen and lived in a magical world made of mirrors.

It did have its faults, like the overuse of the words "beloved" and "my darling(s)." Sometimes they were too distracting, and I wanted to chastise them until they crawled off the page. That was probably the most distracting part of the novel for me, although there were other things that I didn't like.

Has good points and not-so-good points. An immersive world with a good fairy-tale vibe following the story of a princess whose life is great except that she is not pretty (not "like a *real* princess", meaning like the ones in all the stories), and how she and her best friend make a discovery while exploring the castle that sets off a chain of events that could destroy her kingdom if they can't stop it.

Strong pro: the portrayal of women having positions of power in every imaginable capacity, treHas good points and not-so-good points. An immersive world with a good fairy-tale vibe following the story of a princess whose life is great except that she is not pretty (not "like a *real* princess", meaning like the ones in all the stories), and how she and her best friend make a discovery while exploring the castle that sets off a chain of events that could destroy her kingdom if they can't stop it.

Strong pro: the portrayal of women having positions of power in every imaginable capacity, treated not as "omg isn't it just so special and AMAZING that a WOMAN could do/be that?!" but as a plain, unsurprising, unremarked-upon matter of fact (as it should be!). This woman is the kickass and cool-headed Master of Hawks, that woman is a general, and nobody is surprised, snide or stupid about it. Wish there were more stories like that for young girls to read!

Cons: the narrator gets a bit annoying at times with his 'woe is me, what I did was so dumb, but I *am* such a great storyteller', when I found he was at best a peripheral figure except for near the very end, at which point he was still kind of a token adult. More annoying is the fact that Princess Violet is described from the beginning as being not pretty--VERY not pretty; it's a defining part of her character and of the plot--yet in all the illustrations she's a *really cute kid*. Finally, I couldn't really get my head around the Little People; maybe they were necessary to the story (though I'm not entirely sure about that), but it didn't feel like they quite fit to me, or were well-enough explained. They just showed up at one point and then kept popping up.

Overall I'm sure a lot of young readers will enjoy the strong fable-like feel of the story's world, and the story of friendship struggling in very real ways with the events that are thrown at it, and the overall saving-the-world adventure. There are some good messages about integrity and growing up, and the seriousness of certain turns in the story shows that the author doesn't underestimate young readers' ability to grasp or deal with difficult events. A decent fairy tale adventure for young readers, though maybe not entirely satisfying for adult readers....more

Violet, the not-so-pretty princess, is soaring through the air on top of a dragon with an arrow in her chest. They are on a mission to break the mirrored edge of the world before the Nybbas regains its heart. What's a Nybbas? Do they accomplish what they had set out to do? You'll need to read it for yourself!

This book was pretty good. I felt like it was kind of draggy until it reached the end. There was definitely a build up to the climax and I feel like I wasn't that disappointed. The pacing waViolet, the not-so-pretty princess, is soaring through the air on top of a dragon with an arrow in her chest. They are on a mission to break the mirrored edge of the world before the Nybbas regains its heart. What's a Nybbas? Do they accomplish what they had set out to do? You'll need to read it for yourself!

This book was pretty good. I felt like it was kind of draggy until it reached the end. There was definitely a build up to the climax and I feel like I wasn't that disappointed. The pacing was medium, there's a good amount of characterization and detail in the story. Three words I would use to describe this book are: adventurous, whimsical, brave. I would hand this book over to fantasy-lovers or kids who like books with a strong, young female character. Target audience is probably 4th-6th grade.

Read-a-likes:The Wings of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland because of the dragon element and they are both fantasy.

"Dragon Rider" by Cornelia Caroline Funke because they share the subjects of dragons, fantasy, and good vs. evil....more

I loved this book. It was charming and adorable. It would have been perfect for a younger version of myself. It had a kick ass princess with an amazing friend who cares for her no matter what. I pretty much liked everything about this book. There are even some pretty profound questions posed within the reading (and it's a kids book). The author did hit you over the head with the fact that Violet was not pretty, but that was really the only part I didn't care for about this book. I really enjoyedI loved this book. It was charming and adorable. It would have been perfect for a younger version of myself. It had a kick ass princess with an amazing friend who cares for her no matter what. I pretty much liked everything about this book. There are even some pretty profound questions posed within the reading (and it's a kids book). The author did hit you over the head with the fact that Violet was not pretty, but that was really the only part I didn't care for about this book. I really enjoyed how real and relatable characters were. The characters reactions to the plot developments were reasonable and believable. I particularly enjoyed this as it avoided being cliche. The story wasn't groundbreaking but it was great fun and left me satisfied....more

I find that a lot of books take themselves too seriously. They try to follow all the conventions and include all the right elements. But they lose something, something critical. Something that should be the number one priority of every book – to tell a story. I don’t want a collection of perfectly placed words and emotions. I want to be told a tale. To lose myself in a fantastical land narrated by a powerful voice. I didn’t realize how much I craved this until I read Iron Hearted Violet.

Iron HeaI find that a lot of books take themselves too seriously. They try to follow all the conventions and include all the right elements. But they lose something, something critical. Something that should be the number one priority of every book – to tell a story. I don’t want a collection of perfectly placed words and emotions. I want to be told a tale. To lose myself in a fantastical land narrated by a powerful voice. I didn’t realize how much I craved this until I read Iron Hearted Violet.

Iron Hearted Violet takes every familiar fairy tale aspect and dumps them on their heads. There is no central quest, no noble call to adventure. There are princesses that aren’t gorgeous, princes that are quiet and determined, scholarly kings, understanding queens and loyal dragons. The fantasy world is steeped in mythology which is rather unusual. It is so completely unique.

Cassian is selfish, cowardly and weak yet somehow manages to be the most amazing narrator. He starts at the beginning, highlighting important moments in Violet’s life before beginning the main tale. He jumps around from character to character, revealing snippets about their lives and then moving on to another character when something interesting happens. Cassian doesn’t just tell you what they are doing, but reveals their feelings and provides a detailed account of every important event.

The book is addictive and slowly plotted, allowing you to savour the story. Violet must learn that beauty is useless in comparison to smarts and and strength. She must step into the role of queen and learn to do what is needed to defend her kingdom. There is so much substance to the tale just below the surface.

It’s just wonderful. Complex and gripping and just a perfect story. Highly recommended....more

4.5. If you're a fan of Cathrynne Valente's Fairyland or Melloy's Wildwood, you will probably love this. Also, the illustrations are lovely, though I think they made the main character too pretty in them (She's supposed to be ugly).

Actual Rating: 2.5While I did like this book, it took me longer than it should have. I picked up this book thinking it would be a quick read, and I think it still be for most people, even though it wasn't for me.

I'm a writer, a mom, a wife, a dog owner, a reader, a thinker, a hiker, a friend, a runner, a teacher, a listener, terrible gardener, a lover of nature. Sometimes I'm all of these things at once.

I'm also a former bartender, former park ranger, former waitress, former church janitor, former kosher meat slicer, former wild-eyed activist, former wildland firefighter, former coffee jerk, former phon I'm a writer, a mom, a wife, a dog owner, a reader, a thinker, a hiker, a friend, a runner, a teacher, a listener, terrible gardener, a lover of nature. Sometimes I'm all of these things at once.

I'm also a former bartender, former park ranger, former waitress, former church janitor, former kosher meat slicer, former wild-eyed activist, former wildland firefighter, former coffee jerk, former phone-book delivery girl and a former dull-eyed office slave. Sometimes I am still these things. Sometimes all at once....more